Art and Design Cluster

The architectural solution was created according to the design by Kamil Mrva (Studio Kamil Mrva Architects). The new building consists of two interlinked blocks, and the entire object is intended to provide facilities primarily for the study and presentation of visual arts and music, to which its layout and equipment are fully adapted. Newly established in the building are classrooms for theory subjects of the visual arts section of the faculty, the Graphic Design Studio, the Center for Digital Technologies, and also GAFU - Gallery of the Faculty of Arts. The rest of the building is then used by the entire music section of the faculty, which has access to a chamber concert hall, which includes a professional recording studio, as well as a number of rehearsal rooms and classrooms. It is no wonder that particular emphasis was placed on acoustics. The service and guarantee in the field of construction, spatial acoustics, and AV technology, which were related to the necessary acoustic measurements, were provided by the company AVETON, which also handled the implementation of spatial acoustics and AV technology.

ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS AND BUILDING ACOUSTICS

For the proper solution of building acoustics, knowledge of the building as a whole is very important, particularly in terms of construction structures and any penetrations that could create acoustically weak points. As part of the acoustic service and guarantee in the field of building and spatial acoustics, acoustic parameter measurements were carried out both during the construction itself and upon the completion of the building. Primarily, these involved measurements of airborne and impact sound insulation concerning not only acoustically demanding spaces (the chamber hall, music hall) in relation to surrounding areas but also classrooms and rehearsal rooms. Measurements of airborne sound insulation aim to determine and predict the sound isolation capability of separating structures. Critical was the measurement of airborne sound insulation between the chamber hall and the music hall, regarding the possible overlap of both stages so that mutual interference could be eliminated. For the proper evaluation of the measured values, it is important to ensure a sufficient distance of the measured signal from the background noise level. For this reason, these measurements are conducted during the evening or early morning hours when construction work is not ongoing.

The second main measured quantity is the standardized level of sound pressure from impact noise. This measures the transmission of impact noise between rooms. The measurement is done by placing an impact noise source in the transmission room and measuring the incoming level in the receiving room. The chamber hall itself is exceptional in that it is entirely separated from the surrounding connecting structures, which fundamentally eliminates the transmission of impact noise.

Acoustic parameters must be verified and controlled at all construction stages, primarily so that any deficiencies can be detected and removed in time. For this reason, measurements of airborne and impact sound insulation were conducted not only during the final stage of construction but also at various partial phases, where adjustments ensuring compliance with prescribed limits were dictated based on the measurement results.

SPATIAL ACOUSTICS

Similarly, when addressing the spatial acoustics of the chamber hall, staged measurements were carried out. The acoustic elements used also underwent thorough measurement in the reverberation room. The measurement of seats, which represent a significant absorptive area and have a crucial influence on spatial acoustics, was essential. Among the acoustic elements used are profiled diffusive acoustic panels with a lamellar structure, complemented by integrated resonant absorbers tuned according to staged measurements for optimal reverberation time. The ceiling is shaped segmented from wood-based material in a reflective design to ensure uniform sound distribution from performers to listeners. After the concert premiere, both listeners and performers rated the hall as one of the best, or even the best hall for chamber music in the Czech Republic.

AV TECHNOLOGY

AVETON designed the complete audiovisual equipment including stage lighting for full concert and studio operation. In the first stage, which includes the installation of basic operational lighting, presentation technology, recording signaling, and a basic recording chain, the AVETON company also supplied and installed the technology, including the preparation and distribution for a fully comfortable variant in the second stage.

In this first stage of basic equipment, high-end components are utilized, as befits this unique hall. This includes top-notch processing of microphone signals through the Antelope Audio chain, Punchlight for lighting signaling, distribution, and control built on one of the most reliable brands in this category. This is complemented by top-quality sound reinforcement from the French brand L-acoustic. For the final version of the hall's equipment with top technology, all cable paths are already prepared, including high-capacity connection points on stage and patch panels in the control room. After the hall is equipped with technology according to the comprehensive design, it will become one of the best-equipped concert halls in the Czech Republic. Thus, the title of the inaugural concert – bonus locus – will be fully realized.